Happy Hatching!!
Est. hatch date range: sometime April 15-17. Empty shell pieces indicates hatched chicks. the parent is hovering over chick(s). Sorry no images of the chicks, just the empty shells for now. But here is something for you –

Save 15% on No Place for UGLY Birds!
Edit your cart with discount code: 15hatch
Happy Hatching discount code good through 4-22-13.

Tim shared a map with me this morning while we were having our morning coffee. It is a map of OR7’s travels in Northern California. OR7 is the first known wild gray wolf to enter the state since 1924.

Map of OR7’s path in California. Downloaded from CDFW. (formerly DFG)

What is so special about this map? Take a closer look…

Blue path – the wolf.Red dot – Our House

The red dot is our house. So I checked OR7s California Blog (yes, there is a blog). The timing of his visit to our neck of the woods was January 7 – 8. They don’t provide real time tracking, we all find out after the fact.

Odd that this lone wolf would venture into populated areas.

Perhaps he has traveled into more populated areas looking for a mate. Since he is the first wolf to enter the state, there are no wild females for him to service. The domesticated bitches probably smell just as good when they are in season.

Something to think about. It is not the “Golden-ORe” I would be looking for. 😉

Like this:

Brooding turkey vulture in a 14 ft. hollow of a blue oak tree. This image is a composite of 3 photos.

Peering down the vulture hole, I am amazed at the ability of the turkey vultures to climb in and out of this nesting location. It is fourteen feet from the opening to the base.

It is unclear whether this brooding vulture is on eggs or new chicks. It should be nearing time for the eggs to hatch, if my calculations are correct. On March 5th & 6th , I recorded the pair breeding at the entrance and the female retreating inside the nesting cavity. I am making an educated guess that this was around the time of laying their eggs. Most sources site 34-40 days incubation. Sources are vague on the day count, but in all fairness who counts days for vultures hatching? The UStream Missouri turkey vultures incubated for 34 days in 2012.

Both parents incubate the eggs and share in raising the chicks. I do not know when incubation began for this pair.

So for now, all I know is…

Tukey-vultures Are Residing Down Inside Shelter.
TARDIS…bigger in the inside. 😉

Shasta Wildlife Rescue provides restorative care to wildlife in Northern California. Last year, this dedicated group of volunteers cared for over 1500 wild mammals and birds. It is their goal to rehabilitate the critter and return it to the wild where it can live out its life. As you can imagine, this takes a lot of time and a lot of funding. Today’s even is their annual fundraiser.

It starts early in the morning with a “Run for the Wild” and “Cash for Critters” followed by an “Open House and Baby Shower.”

A lot of people from the local community turn out for tours of the facility and to view the ambassador animals. Some of the animals rescued are not able to return to the wild, such as a bird that can no longer fly, or a fox that has been so imprinted on humans it cannot survive in the wild.

These are wild animals, they are not pets, and because of their life situation, they cannot live in the wild. These animals are cared for by trained people who are licensed by the State Department of Fish and Game to care for the animals for the remainder of the animal’s life. It is a commitment of heart, time and treasure.

So for all of you out there seeking a little bliss, consider supporting organizations like Shasta Wildlife Rescue in your area.

Even better… volunteer. Your world will be richer for it.

Here are some pictures from today. THANK YOU Norma Livingston, for being a good sport and shooting some candid pictures of the event.

“Sunny,” a turkey vulture too injured to soar with his feathered kind, is a little camera shy.

The care taker of an injured red-tailed hawk answers questions from the public.

This child is very curios about the owl and red shouldered hawk.

A great horned owl

This gray fox was kit-napped as a baby. He is too imprinted on people to live on his own in the wild. As sad, to often occurring situation.

Face painting and other fun for the kids (small and tall). The RTP booth is in the back.

Each exhibit at the event provided valuable information about wildlife rescue.

The Red-tailed hawk is the most common buteo (hawk) in North America.

All of the care takers were happy to answer questions.

Another volunteer helped visitors make pine-cone bird feeders.

One of the volunteers, absolutely ecstatic to purchase a turkey vulture plush.

Usually other illustrators and authors of Red Tail Publishing books attend events. Due to unavoidable situations, I was the only one able to attend today. My MIL, Norma, was kind enough to join me.